Psalm Reading for Sunday Liturgy

[Birdchest]

I attend a Catholic Church in Jackson MS. Most of the time the Psalm is not read but is substituted by a sung psalm which may or may not have anything to do with the Psalm originally designated for that given Sunday. It is a source of irritation for me personally but I am wondering if it is ever allowable. A second question is, whenever there is a solemn blessing listed for that Sunday, the priest (I have observed this in various parishes) often omits it and just gives the regular blessing: “May Almighty God bless you …” etc.

Are either one of these serious abuses? Thank you in advance.
Jose

 

[FrDavid96]

I attend a Catholic Church in Jackson MS. Most of the time the Psalm is not read but is substituted by a sung psalm which may or may not have anything to do with the Psalm originally designated for that given Sunday. It is a source of irritation for me personally but I am wondering if it is ever allowable. A second question is, whenever there is a solemn blessing listed for that Sunday, the priest (I have observed this in various parishes) often omits it and just gives the regular blessing: “May Almighty God bless you …” etc.

Are either one of these serious abuses? Thank you in advance.
Jose

The Psalm: When it comes to the Psalm, the Mass can have either the psalm of the day, or certain psalms which are designated for that particular season. Most parishes simply use the psalm of the day, so most Catholics are unaware of this “seasonal option.” If the psalm is one of the seasonal options, then it’s perfectly legitimate. To find out, you would have to look at the psalm being used, consult the Lectionary, and see if it’s listed.

The solemn blessings are also an option. They can be used, or not used solely at the priest’s discretion.

 

[benedictgal]

Just to augment what Fr. David said, here is what the General Instruction for the Roman Missal (GIRM) notes:

The Responsorial Psalm

1. After the first reading comes the responsorial Psalm, which is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word and holds great liturgical and pastoral importance, because it fosters meditation on the word of God.

The responsorial Psalm should correspond to each reading and should, as a rule, be taken from the Lectionary.

It is preferable that the responsorial Psalm be sung, at least as far as the people’s response is concerned. Hence, the psalmist, or the cantor of the Psalm, sings the verses of the Psalm from the ambo or another suitable place. The entire congregation remains seated and listens but, as a rule, takes part by singing the response, except when the Psalm is sung straight through without a response. In order, however, that the people may be able to sing the Psalm response more readily, texts of some responses and Psalms have been chosen for the various seasons of the year or for the various categories of Saints. These may be used in place of the text corresponding to the reading whenever the Psalm is sung. If the Psalm cannot be sung, then it should be recited in such a way that it is particularly suited to fostering meditation on the word of God.

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

What I bolded and highlighted in red is important to note. If the psalm is substituted by a regular hymn or a song, then, this is ilicit, meaning that it should not be done. I hope this helps.